Meet people, share ideas
Communication is key in the creative media industries, so build up a group of useful contacts that you can call on for help, advice, or jobs whenever you need to.
If you've done your research and can show that you know your stuff, people will take notice and you'll soon find that your network starts to work for you; over time you'll increase your knowledge of your own profession and make even more useful contacts.
Of course, networking is a two-way street, so be prepared to share ideas and information. Ask about their current projects and future plans - and be prepared to talk about them with knowledge and enthusiasm. Some of your most important creative relationships will often begin through casual conversations.
Make a real effort to go to meetings, events, openings or training days where you think you will meet the people you need to know. At the start of your career, it may seem like you are only meeting people with as little experience as you have. But remember, they're on the same journey up the career ladder as you, and could be in a position to hire sooner than you think.
If you're nervous about going alone, go with someone else who is interested, or try to meet someone there who is in a similar position to you.
There's a whole range of different events you can go to, such as:
- Openings of photographic exhibitions
- Industry festivals e.g. Edinburgh International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Brief Encounters, Bradford Animation Festival, International Festival of Animation & Computer Games, Broadcast LIVE
- Film screenings with a Q&A afterwards
- Regional Screen Agency training days or other public forum events
To help you when you get there:
Do:
- think about what you have to offer and what you need to learn
- be open to suggestions and opportunities
- introduce yourself, other people are at the event to network too
- ask fellow participants and tutors about their work and contacts
- exchange business cards/contact lists
- make a record afterwards of when and where you met people, and what you talked about, even if it's only a couple of words on the back of their business card
- follow up and keep in touch - some great creative partnerships can be made this way
Don't:
- feel embarrassed about going along to an industry event. Chances are there are a lot of people in the same position as you
- waste people's time. If you approach a particular person to ask specific advice make sure you do your homework first
- underestimate the power of a casual conversation - or the importance of the person you're talking to
- make a nuisance of yourself - other people need to network too!
- overdo it. If free drink is available always remember that this is a networking event with drinks, not a booze-up with mates
If you're quite shy and don't like going to these kind of events and ‘working the room' as it's sometimes known, there are other ways of making contact. If you're better in a one-to-one situation, then do that. Arrange to meet someone for coffee rather than going to parties.
In short, network in the way that fits your personality. If you want to meet creative people, you need to get creative about meeting them!
